a sense of place - again

A Sense of Place III, pastel, 10 x 13 inches

Yesterday I posted my first pastel painted more than a dozen years ago. Today I went back to the easel after six weeks away and painted A Sense of Place III. Third time's the charm?

added color

It poured down rain all day today as I painted in my studio. Maybe that's why this scene is more colorful than the subdued hues I talked about in my last post - the one with the reference photo.  Overall, I think it is improved but it isn't as loose as the plein air version and loose is good. If you want to see the workshop version, scroll down to August 3.

life goes on

Once again, I went too far and lost the spontaneity of this piece. After painting on it for a day, I turned it upside down and began again. I am finding this process of going too far and starting again is now my usual modus operandi. Then I come to a time when I ask myself if I am stuck or finished. At one point this piece felt like it was flying apart. I added connectors to hold it together. Then I felt the value range wasn't broad enough - it needed more darks and more lights. Now I'm content and life goes on. I have posted it with my recent work.